Tuesday, December 14, 2010

With issues like an unplanned pregnancy, a life threatening diagnosis and severe eating disorders, the girls who graduated from our Nashville home last week have real reasons to celebrate life! Residents, staff, family and friends came together to show their support for six more amazing young women last week and we wanted to share their incredible stories of transformation with you.

Kayla S

For years, I struggled with eating disorders, self-harm, and depression and felt completely hopeless. I didn’t think I could ever live a normal life. I tried treatment centers and other approaches, but nothing seemed to work. I was dying, so when I heard that Mercy was a Christian program and read some of the girls’ testimonies on the website, I decided to apply.

While at Mercy, God completely changed my life. He has given me dreams, passions and a hope for my future. He’s restored my joy and has shown me His gracious, loving heart toward me. I have learned that my identity is not in my appearance or what others think about me - my identity is in Him. God hand picked me for a purpose and He has amazing things for me in the future!

After graduation, I am looking forward to getting involved in my church and meeting new people. I’m also planning to go to nursing school! I can’t wait to see where the Lord leads me. I know I want to use my journey to help other people find freedom. Thank you so much Nancy and staff! You have changed my life forever and I’m so grateful!

Ashley P

Before Mercy, I was caught up in my addictions. I had a traumatic brain injury when I was 16 and at 19 I was diagnosed with leukemia. I had a negative self-image and low self-esteem and got into some bad relationships with men who verbally and sexually abused me. I also struggled with a binge eating disorder and depression, and every day I woke up wanting to die. My therapist recommended Mercy and since all the government programs I had been to did not work, I decided to apply.

Since being at Mercy, I have learned that God loves me so much and He has a purpose for my life. God showed me that He has never abandoned me. I learned that my past does not determine my future and that I am a new creation in Christ. I have so much joy and peace now. Every day I wake up excited to live for God!

I want to thank Nancy for all that she does. I am so blessed to have gotten the opportunity to come to Mercy. It has changed my life and I want to help other teenage girls who are struggling. After graduation, I plan to go back to college and pursue a career in social work. My dream is to work in an oncology unit at a hospital and work with children.

Tatum E

Before Mercy, my identity was in my relationships and how I performed. I was in an emotionally and verbally abusive relationship and struggled with depression. I didn’t believe in myself, have confidence, or think I was worthy. All that resulted in an unplanned pregnancy that left me confused and stressed, not knowing whether to parent or place my baby for adoption. I heard about Mercy from my mom and decided to apply.

Since coming to Mercy, I know I don’t have to find my identity in anything or anyone but God. He has given me wisdom and discernment, especially when it comes to listening for His voice. I am a daughter of the King and I can do all things through Him!

After graduation, I plan to finish my junior and senior year of high school, go to college, and raise my daughter.

Ally R

Before coming to Mercy, I struggled to get up each morning and survive the day. I tried to deal with life by numbing myself. My family had high expectations for me. Their support was based on my performance and I considered myself a burden to my family and the world. I spent most of my life trying to please others, but always fell short. I learned to wear masks and self-harmed to cope with my pain. I could no longer afford seeing my Christian counselor, so when I heard about Mercy and that I could go there FREE of charge, I thought there might be hope for me.

While at Mercy, I decided to give my life to Christ. I have learned that God is not the author of pain and that He loves me despite the choices I have made. He has shown me His unconditional love and how much He values me. Now I can see all the miracles He has done in my life.

After graduation, I am moving to Charlotte, North Carolina. I plan to get involved in church as God continues to reveal His plans for me. I want to use my testimony to impact others and one day I plan to help victims of sex trafficking and girls facing unplanned pregnancy.

Ashley M

I grew up in a Christian family and went to church, but I didn’t know I could have a relationship with God. I developed an eating disorder in the eighth grade and soon after, began harming myself. I was literally dying in front of my parents’ eyes. Nancy came to my church and spoke about Mercy Ministries and I decided to apply.

While at Mercy, God took me on a journey of getting to know Him personally. He opened my eyes to see His hand at work in my life. I walked through the process of healing and forgiveness and it built my faith in God with each step forward. He gave me joy and freedom and has made me whole.

Sharayah

Before coming to Mercy, I was trapped in a vicious cycle of depression and hopelessness. I wrestled for over 12 years with self-injury, suicidal thoughts and anorexia. A pattern of abusive relationships, which culminated in an abusive marriage, reinforced my belief that I was worthless and powerless. I applied to Mercy because I knew that there was something very wrong with the situation I was in and I needed help to get out. While I was on the waiting list, I found myself pregnant and homeless.

At Mercy, I was constantly reminded that my child and I had worth and value in God’s eyes and that He had a hope and a future for us. I knew right from the start that I wanted to parent my son, but was afraid that either my fear of his father or things in my past would interfere with my ability to bond with him. Because of the healing I received while at Mercy, Josiah was born and I completely fell in love with him. I have adored being a mom!

Since graduation, God has been so faithful to Josiah and me in so many ways! I have seen Him provide for us over and over again. God has brought many relationships into my life to continue the work he started at Mercy. I've been learning how to daily put into practice all the things I learned while in the program. Thank you so much for making it possible for me to spend the last 6 months of my pregnancy in a safe environment, surrounded by godly people who genuinely cared for me and my unborn child. Without God’s intervention in my life through Mercy Ministries, I am not sure that I would even be alive, much less thriving, loving life and being a mom!

Congratulations ladies! We thank God for your lives. It is so exciting to see your new found hope for the future as you move forward! We know God has amazing plans for you!

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